(2013 Previously Unpublished)

Halloween was super fun and sweet!  Ryan and I dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flinstone (my costume had some modesty adjustments to make), and we were a hit at the office Halloween party.  We had an appetizer luncheon, a costume contest, and the winners of the pumpkin decorating contest were announced.  Ryan made a cute bunch of Angry Bird pumpkins which were very detail oriented and rather great (not a surprise, coming from my perfectionist!)  About 30 minutes  before I had to head over to the office, Micah called from school telling me that he had forgotten to tell me that he was assigned to bring seven treat bags for their Halloween party they were having today.  Thank heavens that mom can fly to the rescue!  I did the same thing that morning for Ryan who chose the wrong shirt to wear under his Fred costume, and even later that afternoon because Ryan forgot a shotgun to return that he had borrowed from Jim McCulley when they had all gone pheasant hunting this past weekend.  Yes, I really am supermom once in a while.



So, I try to get our traditional decorations and activities in place for Halloween each year.  We were late putting up the decorations but had a good time on Monday for FHE arranging it how we liked and making sure all our costumes were ready.  I bought yummy sourdough bread bowls from Panera Bread by the mall (I wish I could bake like that!), and bought all the things for our traditional clam chowder, a recipe of Linda’s that is delicious but fattening…all the good stuff is!  We invited the Gray boys, and Jerry Cook brought his boys over as well.  Ryan and Jerry gathered up the brood and made a killing in their candy plunder from the neighborhood!  We had well over 100 kids trick-or-treating at our house as well!  I just used the candy bars that the office gives out in a debanding basket-full size candy bars are always a huge hit.  Cooper was very frustrated that he missed the house that was giving out juice boxes because he had to hurry home with Ryan to go to the bathroom.  Oops! I told him we would get him a juice box later but he still felt let down, the turkey!  I have adorable kids, even if I had to sweet talk Jacob into dressing up in his He-man costume for a picture with his brothers!  

Last night, we went to Jacob’s football playoff game.  Logan went to hang out at a friend’s house, and we dropped the boys off to watch a movie at the Cooks so we wouldn’t have to keep our eyes on them roaming around during the game.  Our team, Davies Eagles, played really well!  We lost at the very last, when the Bismark Century High team pulled ahead with a field goal.  Man, was Jake bummed!  So, their very last game of the season is over.  But don’t worry, Jacob informed me that Wrestling starts up on MONDAY!  No rest for the weary!  

This morning, I made German Pancakes, or Egg Puff, for the kids, rounded them all up, turned on some music, and we all did our Saturday chores, cleaning dishes, folding and putting away laundry, sweeping, tidying up.  Jacob is so used to not doing chores that I heard much grumbling coming from that kid, but they all worked, even Cooper, though I heard much grumbling from him as well.  After we buy and distribute some mulch for the trees in the yard to protect them during the winter, we’ll drop Jacob and Logan off to see Ender’s Game at the theater (which Ryan and I saw last night at a late show…great!), and I will take the younger boys to a cartoon.  Ryan had a great morning at his third flying lesson.  He really is excited about learning this, and I am happy for him that he can do this, even though I have a few worries and misgiving about the safety.  But Ryan assures me all is well and safe.  We are keeping his flying lessons to ourselves until Ryan is sure he can pass the pilot’s physical.  I hope he doesn’t have to worry about that.  It really is time to get back on the wagon and DIET…all of us chub-a-dubs!  

I am excited to go to the Stake Conference Adult Session this evening with Ryan.  It is always really good and I feel the spirit touch my heart often during that “date session”.  I mostly like to cuddle up to Ryan and hold his hand without interruption from the kids.  He is my sweetheart, and I feel so often too busy that we miss showing each other the little bits of affection that we both need.  I love him with all my heart and soul…he is my other half, for sure!  Anyway, I hope the conference will be great!  At tomorrow’s conference, Jacob and I sing in the choir, and we both sing in a quartet of “All Creatures of our God and King”.  Jacob’s voice is maturing so beautifully.  Wow.  It is fun working with him!